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Meloni Fires Back at Trump: "Focus on Your Own Polls"

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni isn’t backing down after a fiery exchange with former U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend. The spat began when Trump accused her of chasing a photo opportunity to boost her popularity—a claim she swiftly dismissed as baseless.

In a sharp retort, Meloni fired back that Trump should worry about his own flatlining approval ratings instead of criticizing hers. Trump didn’t relent, even misspelling her name in a Saturday post while repeating his allegations. Undeterred, Meloni took to Instagram with a firm message in English:

“These attacks aren’t needed.”

She made it clear that Trump’s barbs aren’t swaying public opinion—and the numbers back her up.

Approval Ratings: Who’s Really Winning?

While Trump’s ratings remain stagnant at 36%—one of the lowest points of his tenure—Meloni’s popularity has been on the rise. After a bumpy stretch in 2025, her approval now stands at 35%, with her party maintaining a comfortable lead at 28% in national polls.

Meloni didn’t stop there. She pushed back on Trump’s criticism regarding U.S. military bases in Italy, arguing that such decisions can’t be made on a whim.

A Battle Over Perception

At the heart of the feud lies a deeper question: Who controls a leader’s image? Meloni’s rebuttal suggests she’s unfazed by foreign interference—even from a high-profile figure like Trump. And with her approval climbing, her strategy seems to be working.

For now, the showdown continues—one leader standing firm, the other doubling down. But one thing is clear: Meloni isn’t about to let Trump’s words derail her momentum.